I am so blessed to have met the most wonderful people because of my creative life - and one of them is a lovely lady by the name of Susan who happens to live a province away and whom I am thankful to have had the pleasure of meeting. I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but for a number of years I've been considering investing in printmaking tools as I have missed the physical act of carving an image and, as usual, have been doing much research about it with catalogues and books about the subject. My preference is lino block printing, particularly working with black ink for simplicity and a more historical feel. This past winter I saw framed prints as well as framed carving blocks (LOVED them!) while we were in Banff created by an artist from Canmore - her name is Linda Cote. I loved the images she chose to portray and her method of her work as I enjoy seeing the carving marks on an image, almost vintage in appearance. After seeing the Margaret Shelton exhibit last week and admiring her work, I decided to send Linda an email as her work is slightly reminiscent of the prints I saw at the Collectors' Gallery in Inglewood. Later in the day, I checked the mail and, lo and behold, there was a birthday card from Susan, created by Linda, with my favorite subject - crows. I was so happily surprised - thank you so much Susan not only for the card and sentiments but for selecting something that means so much to me...and thank you Linda for your creativity. What a special treat.